Hanging up the phone, I massaged my temples as I relived yesterday’s events and hoped today would be better. I was going to try and put all this mess behind me for now and not let it affect what I had with Gael. When I did that, the condom incident seemed smaller than I had made it out to be.
Opening up my phone, I smiled again at Gael’s text.
Gael: I miss you. If you’re available, I’d love to see you for lunch at the restaurant. I made Fraisiers.
Those deserts were delicious. France had been worth the trip for that one little pastry. When Gael had texted, I’d been only a couple of blocks away. Spending the time thinking, I felt clearer headed. This part of town was my favorite with the cobblestone streets. Restaurants and food vendors were everywhere and the delicious smells of food had my mouth watering. People milled about as if time stood still, taking away the stress from everyday life. Standing outside of Gael’s Place and looking in, I spotted Gael at a table talking to patrons. He exuded an ease about him as he smiled and ran his hands through his hair. His long sleeve button up shirt was rolled up to his elbows.
The words he had spoken echoed in my head for the millionth time.
I’ve fallen for you. You’re going to be my forever.
It was like having fire and ice in my veins at the same time with the warring thoughts, which turned to guilt with how wonderful Gael had been. So much for the time I had spent dealing with everything. Seeing Gael brought it all to the surface. I needed to get my shit straight before I messed up what could be the best thing in my life.
“I’ve heard the clam chowder is pretty good here.”
I froze as I heard the words from the man I now loathed. Harris.
Turning his way, Harris was dressed casually, which was odd since he always wore suits now. His posture was laid back and easy as he ran his hand through his coal-black hair. I didn’t bother with the niceties. “You’re a complete asshole pulling what you did yesterday. How could you, Harris? How could you tell them about my past? My father? Really? Those were things I trusted you with. Things I told you in confidence. You’ve obliterated any and all trust I ever had in you. Then, you try to ruin Gael’s restaurant by shutting off his vendors. Stop this, Harris. Stop it all. We broke up. You’re acting like you’ve been wronged in this. I did nothing wrong.”
For a mere moment, I thought I saw Harris flinch at my words. His blue eyes had sparked with a piece of humanity. A few people had slowed their walk during my semi-loud rant. “Were you seeing Gael before we broke up?”
I gasped at his insinuation. “I am NOT a cheater! I would never hurt someone like that. I broke up with you because I didn’t love you anymore, Harris. I had been trying to save something that was over. You want your skyscraper view as you conquer the
world. I don’t. You want someone you can control. I don’t want to be controlled. We want different things, Harris. Please let it be.”
As if I was getting through to him, Harris gazed at me thoughtfully. “Do you love this guy you’re with?”
Turning back to the window, I watched Gael. As if he could sense me, Gael turned my way and he gave me a loving look. Then, he spotted Harris and moved this way with a look of sternness.
Not wanting a scene, I tried to reason with Harris to diffuse the situation. “Harris, please leave. Please. I want this game you’re playing to stop. I’m tired of it. This isn’t going to push me away from Gael and back to you. You’re pushing us closer together. Everything you did yesterday brought us closer.”
A hand came around my waist and I leaned into the familiar touch. It was too late, the situation was about to blow up as I felt everyone stiffen. Harris eyed the gesture and narrowed his eyes. Whatever softness he had exhibited was gone. Gael kissed me on the cheek. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
Trying to appear completely normal, I responded, “Yes, I was about to come in for lunch. Are you ready?”
Hopefully, Gael would escort me in and we would be done with this encounter. Harris’ stance became more rigid and Gael brought me closer to him. I felt protected and safe in Gael’s embrace, but feared what Harris would do.
All of Gael remained relaxed except for his arm that was wrapped around me. “Harris Huntington, right? I’m Gael Stowe. What brings you to Savannah? I thought your empire was in New York City.”
There was an underlying warning in Gael’s tone.
Assessing, Harris looked at Gael and glanced my way. “I have an asset I’m here to acquire.”
Indignation rose through me. “I’m not an asset, Harris. Did you not hear anything I said? You’re proving my point with that statement alone.”
“I heard the things you didn’t say. Ashlin—”
What hadn’t I said? I told him how I felt. These were the games I hated. When he thought there was an underlying meaning to something.
Clearing his throat, Gael spoke, cutting off Harris’ response to me. It was stern and unyielding with possessiveness lacing every word. “Harris, I know what you’re doing and it’s not going to work. You can try to take my restaurant and even if you succeed ... guess what? I’ll still be the winner in this pissing contest you’ve created. You know why? Because I have Ashlin. She’s warming my bed at night and not yours. I do know this … with how much I care about Ashlin at this point; I could never humiliate and hurt her like you did yesterday. Now, I’m going to take my girl into my establishment for a nice meal. You’re not welcome here. I suggest you realize that Ashlin and I are together and I’m not going to fuck-up like you did.”
As we turned and walk back into Gael’s Place, Harris stepped in front of us. “I’m a patient man to get what I want. Don’t forget that.”
Harris strode off briskly as Gael ushered me into the restaurant. As I watched him disappear down the street, I wondered why Harris was in Savannah. During our confrontation, the thought of why he was here had eluded me while my guard was up. Whatever the reason, a sickening feeling fell over me. My insides were shaking. Harris and I had been the definition of a relationship ending badly.
“Let’s get inside,” Gael said as he guided me.
A few people were still trying to stare at us while we walked toward the wooden door with glass panes. Ducking my head, I tried to see if there were any photographers. Everyone seemed like they were regular people. Hopefully, that was one bullet that was dodged and this confrontation wouldn’t be in tomorrow’s news. Tomorrow we’d find out when we read the papers if this had been another setup.